Global Warming: How Does it
Affect YOU?
"I know this may sound clichι, but taking a class on global warming
really did change my life. Before taking this class, I had heard about global
warming, but I didn't really know much about it. I was the person who would try
to recycle, but if there was a trash can closer, then guess where that plastic
bottle went? Yep, in the trash can. Now, I will actually put my plastic bottle
in my bag after class and take it all the way back to the dorm so that I can
recycle it. I have also started turning my computer off more when I am not using
it and the lights in my room, as well. Now, I know it is easy to say that there
are so many people in this world, how can I help make a difference in the fight
against global warming. Well, you can! You can start by just doing some simple
things, every little bit helps. If everyone in the world thought they couldn't
make a difference, then no one would do anything! I am going to talk a little
bit on my page about how global warming affects our agriculture and public
health, and then I'm going to give you some additional links for other
interesting information and then a list of some things you can do to help."
Amanda Umlah
AGRICULTURE
When there is an increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere:
Crops have higher yields but the nutritional value of these crops is significantly lower because the elevated carbon dioxide levels cause nitrogen levels to decrease.
Researchers looked at 159 studies on this topic and discovered that elevated carbon levels led to a 25 percent increase in total seed weight, a 19 percent increase in the number of flowers, a 16 percent increase in number of seeds, and a 4 percent increase in individual seed weight.
In the seeds of many of the crops tested in the studies, the nitrogen levels were 15 to 20 percent lower.
The crop species, legumes, (which includes peas and soybeans) did not follow this trend, though. Their yield increased with rising carbon dioxide levels, but there was no change in nutritional value.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Statistics have shown that there is a link between increasing temperatures and the occurrence or severity of several diseases and other threats to human health.
Extremely warm temperatures can directly cause fatality, and some serious diseases only appear in warm areas.
Warmer temperatures can also increase air and water pollution.
The number of fatalities increase with extremely warm temperatures because:
People with heart problems are vulnerable, because their cardiovascular system has to work harder to keep the body cool on hot days.
The likelihood of heat exhaustion and some respiratory problems increases.
The concentration of ozone at ground level increases and ozone in the lower atmosphere is a harmful pollutant.
Ozone damages lung tissue and can cause problems for people with asthma and other lung diseases. Healthy individuals can even experience chest pains, nausea, and pulmonary congestion from modest exposure to the ozone.
A warming of 4 degrees F could increase the ozone concentration by about 5% in most of the United States.
Studies show that even an increase of 2 degrees F would increase heat-related deaths from 78 to anywhere from 96 to 247 people per year.
Warmer temperatures also increase the risk of some infectious, deadly diseases, such as the West Nile virus, cholera, malaria, and Rift Valley fever.
The number of West Nile cases in the United States and Canada have exponentially increased since 1999.
Pollen and mold spores also increase when the amount of carbon dioxide concentration and the temperature increases.
Some Easy
Ways You Can Help:
Save electricity by turning off lights, the television, computer, etc. when you are done using them.
Take the bus, ride a bike, or walk when you can instead of using a car.
Plant some trees, because trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air.
Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!
Anytime that you can, buy recyclable products rather than non-recyclable ones.
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Inflate your tires.
Check your car's air filter monthly.
Run your dishwasher only with a full load.
Use recycled paper.
Move your heater thermostat down two degrees in winter and up two degrees in the summer.
Keep your water heater thermostat no higher than 120°F.
Take shorter showers.
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead.
Buy products with less packaging.
When buying a car, buy a hybrid one.
Make sure the walls and ceilings in your home are insulated.
Put your clothes on a line to dry during the spring and summer instead of using a dryer.
Link to:
Calculate Your Carbon and
Cash Savings
Learn more about coral bleaching!
Some Additional Interesting Links about Global Warming:
· how airlines can help control the carbon dioxide emitted by airplanes
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/06/060614-contrails.html
http://www.livescience.com/environment/050126_contrail_climate.html
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1663637.htm
· penguin decline
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/05/0509_penguindecline.html
· extinction of frog species
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/11/AR2006011102121.html
Sources
http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/difference.html
http://www.stopglobalwarming.org